CHAPTER 358: CHAPTER 358: HYPNOSIS ON A WHIM

No... No no no no no no no!!! If it ends up like this, I can’t resist at all, I can’t stop at all──! Vermouth let out an unnatural, whimperi

No...

No no no no no no no!!!

If it ends up like this, I can’t resist at all, I can’t stop at all──!

Vermouth let out an unnatural, whimpering sound.

She now looked completely stripped of her usual elegance, not even caring to maintain her image. This unprecedented sweetness was far beyond what anyone could imagine...

This was definitely not normal.

It can’t be like this.

Normal situations would never be like this!

The sweetness was so overpowering that even a woman like her felt as if her brain was about to melt, and her rational mind trembled uncontrollably.

From her crimson lips, she begged for mercy — practically pleading.

Her appearance was far more outrageous than Hayashi Yoshiki had imagined. This scene even made him laugh silently:

"It’s so embarrassing, Miss Vermouth... If Calvados knew you were like this, he’d be dead."

"What on earth did you... do?"

"Me? I don’t think I did anything except the beginning, right?"

...!

After those light words fell, Vermouth’s expression froze.

Tears smudged her eye makeup, and she wore a stunned look. She turned back tremblingly, and after seeing everything clearly, her gaze wavered before she forced a somewhat ugly smile.

Yes, Cointreau did nothing.

He simply sat there in the most convenient position for himself...

Vermouth did all of this by herself, begging for mercy in an extremely shameful manner.

Even though Vermouth usually had little sense of shame, she still wanted to find a hole to crawl into at this moment — as a person of high status, Vermouth, who was accustomed to teasing others, seemed to possess extraordinary pride. But now, that so-called pride was fragile and cheap.

Hayashi Yoshiki glanced down at the ring on his hand.

I didn’t expect to be able to do this...

He had just tried it on a whim, yet the effect was astonishingly strong.

After all, it was something that could instantly drag people into an illusion.

"It’s still early."

"I wonder if Miss Vermouth has ever participated in a marathon?"

"I participated once before, but I didn’t want to attract too much attention, so I left with five kilometers remaining... At that time, I was in good shape and could have run twice as far."

Hayashi Yoshiki’s voice became very gentle.

That was how he usually spoke. There was always clarity in his kind eyes, and his bright expression made people feel genuinely close to him.

What did that mean?

Was he showing off his physical strength?

Vermouth was even a little distracted from his words as Hayashi Yoshiki stood up.

He smiled and gently embraced Vermouth.

———

After that,

Hayashi Yoshiki found a computer disconnected from the internet and reviewed the data Seiran Hoshi had copied.

Winery spy Masaaki Okakura was not on the full list. It did not include himself. There were a total of twenty-three names.

Some of these spies had become secretaries to members of parliament, some lurked in hospitals, and some controlled the media’s mouthpieces...

But no spies were working for the police or public security agencies on the list.

Hayashi Yoshiki felt a little disappointed with the result — but not too much.

After all, all this information was related to the winery. Even if it seemed useless now, who knew when it might come in handy?

At that moment, the phone rang and he answered.

"Hello? What’s up, Yoko?"

"Yashu-kun~ Hey, there’s something I want to discuss with you."

Yoko Okino’s sweet voice came from the other end of the line.

Hayashi Yoshiki closed the computer, stood up, and walked to the balcony to open the curtains:

"Sure, what’s the matter?"

"My friend said she’s been dealing with some pranks lately and wants a detective’s help... I was wondering if I could ask Uncle Mori to help?"

"Uncle Mori?"

Hayashi Yoshiki was a little surprised, "Aren’t you asking me to help?"

"That’s because... um, hehe~"

I can’t say my friend is a beautiful hostess, and I’d feel bad.

Yoko Okino smiled and changed the subject:

"I’ll tell you the reason later, Yoshiki-kun. I’ll ask Uncle Mori, and he should be able to do it, right?"

"If it’s Uncle Mori, he probably won’t refuse. But Yoko, you can just have your agent contact him."

"But if I don’t tell Yoshiki-kun about this, I’m afraid you’ll think I’m deliberately avoiding you."

"...Thank you, Yoko."

Hayashi Yoshiki was actually quite happy to hear her say that.

Yoko Okino smiled sweetly over there.

"But Yoko, you’ve been too busy lately, haven’t you? Recording shows and filming dramas. Don’t overwork yourself."

"I know, but the script for this drama is really good. Yoshiki-kun thinks so too... so I have to work hard."

"Then make sure to rest."

They talked on the phone for a while before hanging up.

Yoko’s friend and her mischief...

Hayashi Yoshiki thought of Rena Mizunashi.

It seemed that since Rena Mizunashi, the winery had gradually become a watering hole, and the code-named members that appeared afterward were either undercover agents, traitors, or just garbage.

So, was there anything useful in this incident?

Hayashi Yoshiki thought carefully.

The incident involving Rena Mizunashi was essentially another confrontation between the FBI and the winery, and it also laid the groundwork for Conan’s subsequent cooperation with the FBI.

However, Hayashi Yoshiki recalled what Gin had said before:

"Rum is only good at dealing with the FBI."

In addition, there was some information from Vermouth...

All these clues indicated that Rum had someone inside the FBI — and his position was not low.

In this case, Hayashi Yoshiki must be very cautious if he encounters the FBI.

After piecing together these thoughts, Hayashi Yoshiki took the phone and called Uncle Mori Kogoro.

"Uncle Mori, it’s me. Are you resting?"

"Ah? Yoshiki? Ha—ah, what’s the matter?" A yawning sound came from the other side.

"Yoko asked me to call and see if you’re free to participate in her show ’Yoko’s Four Minute Kitchen’ tomorrow."

"Yoko’s Four Minute Kitchen? What!? You’re inviting me? Is this true?!"

"Fake."

"Fake!?"

Mori Kogoro, who had already jumped up excitedly, immediately frowned at the answer. He said angrily:

"You called me just to tease me, didn’t you!?"

"Haha, because I’m the one participating in that show, but Yoko has reserved some seats for the recording. Want to come?"

"Go! Of course, I’m going!"